The New Year

I am about 10 days in to the new year and I am already feeling like 2014 is going to be the best year yet. I am recovering from knee surgery, working on my nutrition, doing very well at work, and looking to buy my first home. That's right! I am in the market for a condo! This is the most exciting and scary thing I have ever done. Leaving home, moving to Texas with Joe doesn't even compare to the levels of excitement and fear I have with this whole "buying" thing.

At first, I didn't think I would qualify for a mortgage so I didn't even try. My parents, however, pushed me to apply and talk to their mortgage lady (yes, they have a mortgage lady that my dad refers everyone too and she is spectacular!). After running everything through the system, she told me I was approved and to start looking. Now, looking is all that I seem to do. When I have free time, I am on Johnlscott or Windermere or even Zillow; scrolling through all of the properties available. Well constant searching has definitely paid off because I have found a few properties that are great! I have a lot of needs and wants in a condo and I found one that has all of them! Well, except that it is in Everett and I work in Redmond. This property has 2 beds, 1.75 bath, fenced backyard (a tall fence too), an attached garage and is in a safe area. I also found a place that was a 3 bed, 2 bath, a really nice layout, 2 fenced yards, but only one uncovered parking spot. This one was on a lake and it was a really nice, old part of Everett. There are several more that I am looking at tomorrow but I am really excited about 3 properties that seem to be good fits. I am hoping to make an offer soon on one of them after viewing about 8 tomorrow, that is if I don't find something better. What is purely amazing and wonderful is the support I have with my family and friends. My parents, Amanda, Q and D have been emailing me properties that they have found. My grandparents, who have so much experience and knowledge about this, have been phenomenal sounding boards and have pointed out things like negotiating the commission my agent gets etc. My grandmother has been my partner in looking at most of the properties and noticing if there is something that doesn't seem right like a musty smell, or a damp spot on the wall. All of the support, love, and information has made this even better! I feel like, once I do make a decision, that I will be armed with all of the knowledge available and have the support from the people I care about most.

I have to say, I am very lucky to have the family and friends that I do. I know that, with their help, I will make the best decision and find the best place for me to call my own.

Yay for new beginnings!